spp. in Free-Ranging Capybaras () from Midwestern Brazil.

Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that affects domestic and wild animals as well as humans. It is caused by infection with some pathogenic species of the genus . In Brazil, studies on leptospirosis in capybaras are scarce or nonexistent in some regions, such as the Federal District.

Touchdown polymerase chain reaction detection of polycystic kidney disease and laboratory findings in different cat populations.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease of cats, predominantly affecting Persian and Persian-related cats. A point mutation (C→A transversion) in exon 29 of the PKD1 gene causes ADPKD, and is the specific molecular target for genetic diagnosis in cats. The current study describes a newly developed touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect this single point mutation, using 2 primers specific for the mutant allele, adapted from an existing multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS PCR).